Young People as Volunteers: A guide to moving beyond traditional practices

Introduction

This document provides valuable insights and strategies for organisations looking to attract, retain, and motivate young volunteers aged 18 to 25. It emphasises the importance of making volunteering relevant and meaningful, offering leadership opportunities, and fostering a youth-friendly culture.

Summary

This report by Volunteering Queensland offers strategies for engaging young volunteers, highlighting the importance of a flexible culture, networking, and partnerships. It includes case studies of successful organisations and emphasises the benefits of youth involvement in community activities.

Benefits for Organisations

This resource is beneficial for volunteer organisations and management practitioners as it provides practical strategies to enhance youth involvement, leading to personal growth for volunteers and community benefits such as:

• Making Volunteering Relevant

• Leadership and Decision-Making

• Youth-Friendly Culture

• Networking and Partnerships

Application

Volunteer organisations can apply these strategies by creating engaging, leadership-oriented, and flexible volunteering opportunities, and by leveraging social networks and partnerships to connect with young volunteers.